Question

In 1964, Nirenberg and Leder used the triplet binding assay to determine specific codon assignments. A complex of which of the following components was trapped in the nitrocellulose filter?

A. free tRNAs
B. uncharged tRNAs and ribosomes
C. ribosomes and DNA
D. charged tRNA, RNA triplet, and ribosome
E. sense and antisense strands of DNA

Answer 1

The complex trapped on the nitrocellulose filter during the triplet binding assay performed by Nirenberg and Leder consisted of a charged tRNA, an RNA triplet, and a ribosome.The correct answer is option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1964, Nirenberg and Leder utilized the triplet binding assay to determine codon assignments, forming a complex trapped on a nitrocellulose filter. Based on their experiment setup and findings, the complex retained on the filter consisted of charged tRNA, an RNA triplet, and a ribosome.

This complex formed because aminoacyl-tRNAs alone would pass through the nitrocellulose filter, while ribosomes would not; when synthetic triplets bound to ribosomes, they, in turn, could bind the appropriate tRNA with the specific amino acid encoded by the triplet.

This precise molecular interaction allowed the codon assignments to be determined, advancing the understanding of the genetic code.The correct answer is option D.